Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am incredibly honoured and very proud to represent the wonderful community of Chisholm in this place. I will always be a champion for my community, and I'm really pleased at what we have already managed to achieve together. It was an exciting day when I attended the opening of the new headspace in my electorate—a much needed service for the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. This joins the headspace just a few doors down from my office near Syndal Station, and it has been inspiring to meet with the staff and youth advisory groups at both of these centres. Both centres are very loved and absolutely critical parts of the local community.

The Medicare urgent care clinic at 408 Huntingdale Road, Mount Waverley is a very welcome addition to our local community, and I know it's one that is highly valued. A free clinic, this service provides care and reduces pressure on emergency departments. This clinic means that injuries and illnesses can be attended to quickly. I speak to people in our community all the time about the practice, and I'm struck by the incredibly positive experiences that are shared with me about the urgent care clinic. I've met with the medical staff at the clinic, and the passion, care and dedication they demonstrate is just so clear, and we are so fortunate to have such hardworking professionals serving our community in Chisholm.

I feel sick when I realise that this is a service that could be on the coalition's chopping block. We know that there are definitely going to be cuts. The precise nature is secret, which is a terrible worry because you hardly ever hide good news, do you? We know that the coalition, and quite especially the Leader of the Opposition, has formwhen it comes to gutting and cutting Medicare and health services. We cannot let that happen, and I will fight it every step of the way and champion the needs of my wonderful community of Chisholm.

I know from the thousands and thousands of conversations I've had through doorknocking and making phone calls in the electorate that action on climate change and gender equality are key issues for the voters in my terrific community in Chisholm. I'm really pleased that one of the very first acts of our government was to legislate a climate target, and we have more renewables and renewable projects than ever before. We're making substantial progress on closing the gender pay gap, and we're the first majority female government in Australia's history, which means that reforms that get us closer to gender equality, such as changes to paid parental leave and a national plan to eliminate gendered violence, absolutely are supported by our government. I'm proud to be part of a government that gets things done for the nation and delivers for the community of Chisholm.